Herreshoff Marine Museum

Located in Bristol, Rhode Island, the Herreshoff Marine Museum presents the story of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, which produced some of the world's finest yachts and the U. S. Navy's first torpedo boats. It also houses the America's Cup Hall of Fame, which traces yacht design and construction and Cup competitions. The Museum includes the Hall of Boats, the Herreshoff Model Collection and a number of restored and working boats. The Hall of Fame focuses on the inductees and their accomplishments, performance and sportsmanship.

The Museum retained Brakeley Briscoe to conduct a pre-campaign planning and feasibility study to renovate and expand the campus. However, it quickly became apparent the assignment was more of a management consulting challenge than anything else. The Museum was headed for a financial crisis and lacked a coherent strategy for changing directions.

As a result of Brakeley Briscoe's analytical work and recommendations, major changes were instituted with respect to the leadership and role of the Board of Trustees as well as staff alignments and responsibilities.

Board Chair Marshall Lawson summarized the relationship with Brakeley Briscoe: "Brakeley Briscoe's nominal assignment was to address our fundraising challenges, but through the process of assessing our internal readiness, George Brakeley discerned early on that our issues had more to do with strategic, managerial and operational concerns. The fact was we were at a critical juncture in the life of the Museum. His analysis and recommendations encouraged us to embark on the right course."